PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE SEMINARY CONCLUDES ITS ACADEMIC YEAR WITH ITS 75TH ANNUAL CEREMONY
The 75th annual ceremony of the seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia was
held on June 25 in Bikfaya under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I.
Members of the Cilician Brotherhood, teachers and a large number of people
believing in the seminary’s mission attended the ceremony.
A choir formed of the students of the seminary entertained the audience with
a brief program and Deacon Dikran Avedisian read a decree on behalf of the
seminary students. Rev. Bartev Gulumian, the dean, read the annual report,
presenting a detailed account of the academic year.
His Holiness Aram I presented degrees and certificates to Dikran Avedisian,
Sarkis Bedrosian, Haroutioun Babikian, Sevan Jivanian, Haig Koparian and
Gabriel Tanashian. Rev. Tatoul Anoushian was particularly praised as an
assistant to the seminary’s dean during the past academic year. Some good
and exemplary students were also rewarded.
“The spirit you received in the seminary is not limited to the classroom; it
is present everywhere. This spirit comes from the depths of our cultural,
national, spiritual and religious history, from all the phases of our people
‘s history. This spirit crosses the boundaries of the seminary and becomes a
mission in our people’s lives,” said His Holiness Aram I addressing the
students.
The Catholicos stated that the seminary’s spirit gives “depth, character and
a mission to Antelias.” He assured that the seminary is the heart of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, adding that whoever has received the seminary’s
spirit never betrays.
His Holiness also talked about the formation of the students’ characters,
saying that the seminary gives them the virtue of holiness. “Circumstances
have changed, but this spirit remains the same. The seminary’s spirit brings
commitment to our mission,” added His Holiness.
“We should be very cautious in educating humans, so that people having
dedication, love and faith are prepared in this institution. This is our
mission and goal,” said the Catholicos addressing the students.
The ceremony was concluded with “Cilicia” and “I Veh Partsants.”
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Seminary,
you may refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is
located in Antelias, Lebanon.